Posted on Jan 10, 2024
As a veteran do you prefer to be a "quiet professional" or "outspoken patriot"?
27.4K
205
69
45
45
0
I have come to learn, from many men and women better than I, that there is cause to be both. As society ebbs and flows around us it takes maturity to navigate which situation calls for what. Lately, I have had many tell me not to be so reluctant in public to speak out, that the "quiet professional" is sometimes damaging as it leaves the very important voice of veterans absent in the conversation.
Personaly, I prefer to try and exercise the former more than the latter, given that in the civilian sector I believe humility should precede anything I say about the military. However, I'm also very aggressive and candid. So I'm probably perceived more often as the outspoken patriot, especially given my sense of humor. Around the office one day, people divvied up the staff for fun to see who would win in a war against each other. They deemed that the decisive element was me. They told me it was because "You're always talking about violence and destroying things. You're probably the only one that actually knows warfare." Hooray! I'm making a difference!
Personaly, I prefer to try and exercise the former more than the latter, given that in the civilian sector I believe humility should precede anything I say about the military. However, I'm also very aggressive and candid. So I'm probably perceived more often as the outspoken patriot, especially given my sense of humor. Around the office one day, people divvied up the staff for fun to see who would win in a war against each other. They deemed that the decisive element was me. They told me it was because "You're always talking about violence and destroying things. You're probably the only one that actually knows warfare." Hooray! I'm making a difference!
Freedom of Speech
Leadership
College
Development
Democracy
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 43
2
2
0
2
2
0
I fall in the category of all those outspoken Generals who rip on the civilian chain of command. When you do a little research on them "Ret." is always followed after their rank. I'm not there yet of course so I have my limits.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
After being a quiet vet for over 60 yrs., I have seen the country (esp. politicians) going to pot and changing to outspoken patriot. But who listens beside vets?
(1)
(0)
1LT (Join to see)
Change happens over time. Telling stories does not always have an immediate impact, but I do believe there is an impact, nonetheless.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I will always be outspoken about my Military Life. My generation had a very large amount of cowards who protested what we were doing in Vietnam. We were labeled as Baby Killers and Women Killers by the cowards who either left the United States or Dodged the Draft. I will tell anyone who asks what I did in my 28 years and 9 months in the Navy. I tell them all the good things only. The 1,600 men and women I taught as the Command Chief Petty Officer, Weapons Master and Training Officer of my unit. What I did in Vietnam is none of their business. I will ALWAYS promote and support all the Military men and women who served. I serve as the Chaplain of my Masonic Lodge and I was involved with the Los Angeles National Cemetery Support Committee for 12 years but had to leave because they appointed an asshole as the Cemeteries's Director who refused to throw out two members who lied about their service. I will be going back to being a member next week.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Quiet Professional. I defend the military 100% but only talk about my service if I'm asked, introduced that way, or it comes up in conversation. It brings up to many questions for me. I don't always feel like being interviewed about my time in Service. I usually just say "that was 25-30 years ago, Its all different now/"
Plus if i hear 1 more i was going to join the Marines but...... I'm going to lose my self bearing.
Plus if i hear 1 more i was going to join the Marines but...... I'm going to lose my self bearing.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I served in the USN as a Gunnersmate, was Blue Water Navy in Vietnam and discharged. Had broken service and then served in the USAR as a Medic for four years. I completed my Army contract and enlisted in USNR and was attached to the Fleet Marine Force as a Corpsman. I retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer with 25 years active and reserve service. To discuss my service, even with other veterans, can be complicated and certainly with civilians it would be. Post USNR retirement, I served in US Coast Guard Auxiliary for 20 years and retired. My awards reflect service in three branches of the military. I don't try to explain that to military or civilian. People will believe what they choose. I don't need or expect affirmation. I am pleased to say I served. I do wear my caps for protecting a bald head and simply acknowledge with "Thank You" if someone mentions my service.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The U.S. military is only the organization that it is because of the distinct separation between the military and politics. This can extend to almost all interactions. I am careful that any partisan efforts I make for any cause, are rendered as a private citizen, not as a "Veteran." If people around me urge me to identify as a veteran to further the cause, I politely decline.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I have learned through my 26 years of service and 67 years on this earth, that a foolish person speaks because they have to say something, while an intelligent person speaks because they have something to say. That being said, as I am extremely proud of my service to this country, I prefer to chose my battles, if I hear someone belittling or berating the service our young warriors have given to the freedom of the country, I most certainly will speak up to inform them that the freedom they enjoy is due to that service, so I will remain a quiet professional until such time it becomes necessary to speak up.
MSgt McGee, USAF (Ret)
MSgt McGee, USAF (Ret)
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I am today and always have been an Outspoken Patriot. I spent 4 yrs in the military including a year in Vietnam and was proud to serve my country. The state of our country today makes me sick to my stomach.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google